Cabin Fever
The wooden fence under Dagenheart's hands creaked softly as she shifted her weight and stared out across Companion's Field waiting for Elrin. She had awoke this morning with her nerves frayed to a snapping point. He had recommended that she get out and enjoy the beautiful weather; and beautiful it was. The air was warm and pleasant with a cool breeze that never seemed to get enough ambition to stir the leaves of the surrounding trees. At first she recoiled from the idea of being out and about with the others but Elrin had told her to come to the Field for a ride. Her first with him since this all started. She had been a bit shaky as she started her trek to meet her Companion but she found her center and with it more confidence. After ducking under the watchful eye of Alairus, she had made her way there via the gardens. However she couldn't avoid passing by people as they littered the landscape. The Heralds seemed to study her with uncertain eyes while the others just got away from her. At the moment a gaggle of Companions stood at a respective distance from her, watching her; reminding her of little old ladies gathered together to gossip about strangers. Had she given it much thought she would have been piqued but before she could find the energy to work up a good irritation, Elrin came trotting up to her.
:I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up.:
:You need to learn patience, Chosen. Not everything moves as fast as you want it to.: It took Dagenheart a moment to realize he was chiding her. He nuzzled her hair as she reached her arm around his neck. She closed her eyes and reveled in his closeness. When they were in contact with one another it seemed they both were invincible. No longer two halves but rather a wondrous whole, coursing with power. She held him there for a long while, just content to be near him
:Would you like to go for a ride?: He asked softly.
:That would be nice.: She replied and stuck one booted foot on the fence rail to make mounting him easier.
:No saddle?:
"No" She said aloud, "I can ride bareback."
:Your going to be sore before the first circuit around the Field.:
"The Field? I was thinking about something more, dare I say, adventurous. How about a ride through Haven? You can show me the sights, besides I have to get away from this place for at least a little while. Regardless of what Fyrn says, I feel like a prisoner."
Elrin just whickered and tossed his head as she mounted up. Without even thinking she smacked her heels into his sides to urge him on. She realized her mistake the moment she did it.
:Do not do that! If you had been wearing spurs. . :
:Forgive me, it is force of habit. That's what you get for looking like a horse.:
He snorted and moved towards the opening in the fence, walking steadily.
:Any reason why your moving like an old woman?: She teased
:Old woman, eh?: And with that he shot off at a full gallop; his hooves pounding the earth mercilessly. Had Dagenheart not sensed the mischievousness boiling up in him, she would have been left sitting on nothing more solid then air. Instead she laid herself down along his back and clutched gently around his neck. The feeling was incredible. Never had she ridden a creature so fast. She laughed wildly as they thundered by the gardens.
They were off and damned be the fool that got in their way. They came flashing up the cobblestone road that led to the gate and out into the city. The Guardsman at the gate didn't have time to even look up from his post before they were past him. Down the streets they pounded, scattering onlookers. He kept the pace up till the streets became to crowded to do so without risk of hurting someone. Then he slowed down to a walk. People looked at them oddly but did not stare the way the others had. In fact, as they moved further down the street, into the crowds, no one gave them any special attention.
She looked around at all the old manors of the wealthy and noble. It was the most imposing part of the city in Dagenheart's opinion. Elrin pointed out several houses belonging to nobles that had stories behind them. Some were comical while others were chilling. They passed out of the richer districts and into those owned by the average, middle class peoples. This area was a bit busier and people seemed to be rushing about doing all sorts of things. It had an array of shops; everything from smithies to herbalists.
:May I ask you something?: She asked Elrin.
:Of course.:
:Why do your people not have mages? True mages?:
:But we do. Fryn is one of them. He is a Herald-mage.:
:He is? He doesn't radiate much power for a mage.:
:Back before the Mage Storms hit, magic was governed by a different set of rules. The Storms scattered the energy of lay-lines and nodes across the land essentially diluting it. Back in the time of Herald Vanyel, our mages could tap into the nodes and lines to sustain powerful spells but with no nodes anymore, magic has changed in a way.:
Dagenheart had heard of node magic but never had need of it. Her power source was overflowing with an abundance of energy.
:Vanyel? He was the poof, wasn't he?:
Elrin stopped dead.
:Good gods, don't call him a. . .:
:He was one, wasn't he?:
:Well, yes but you don't need to put it quite. . .:
:Then what's the problem? He's a poof, I didn't say there was anything wrong with that.:
:Your just pestering me aren't you?:
She busted out laughing. "It's working to, isn't it?
He shook his head and began walking again. They went for a while in silence, content just to be together. Then Elrin continued his tour-giving as they went, pointing out places of interest and telling her a bit of lore behind a certain few.
:Can I ask you a question?: Elrin sent as they halted to let a cart pass in front of them.
:Only fair I suppose.:
:How old are you?:
That came at her from the blind side.
:How old am I? You can ask me anything and you ask that?:
:I'm curious. Honestly, I don't know much about you.:
Seemed harmless enough, but when she went to answer she realized she didn't know. It was never something she paid attention to. The last time she actually knew her age was when she was fifteen. That she remembered clearly.
:Dagenheart?:
:I'm thinking. I don't really know. Maybe twenty-six, give or take a year.:
The silence returned until they passed a row of trinket shops filled with useless nick knacks and cheap jewelry.
:Anything else you want to know?:
:Are you really offering because yes, there quite a few things I want to know.:
For a moment her good mood began to damper.
:Ask anything but save the heavy questions till we get back to the prison.:
:Ok, fair enough. Where were you born?:
:That is considered a heavy question.:
:Ok, why always a red ribbon in your ponytail?:
:Again, a heavy question.:
She sensed a deal of annoyance from her Companion.
:Look, I just don't like to talk about my past. It's not pretty. You have no idea the demons that lurk there. I'm. . . I'm ashamed of it.:
Never before had she said those words much less to another living creature. It was that soft spot within her that made her look back on all her atrocities and repel in disgust. To her, these Valedmarians would never understand what suffering was truly about. So far, of what she'd seen of the city everyone always got enough and poverty was a scar never seen.
:Haven is not perfect. Perhaps you'd like to see.: He sent, sensing her thoughts, then changed his course and after navigating a maze of roads, leaving Dagenheart completely lost, they arrived on a much shadier side of the city. It wasn't the worst slum she'd every seen but it was bad. In places filth choked the streets and the houses (if they could be called that) were mostly built from scavenged wood and metal. Women with haunted eyes and dirty dresses walked the streets soliciting their goods to men stinking of booze and sweat.
:Perhaps even a 'perfect city' like Haven can have its. . .:
Something broke in on the mind link and flooded it with a terrible rush of unbridled terror and pain. Elrin went stiff under her legs and she wavered on his back for a moment as a storm of despair battered her. Then there was something else. Something different. A streak of glowing red amongst a maelstrom of black. A cry for help. It wasn't mind-sent; it was just a sheer mass of desperate hope.
"Go!" She shouted at Elrin and he leapt forward. They flew through the crowds of people using their skills in perfect unison to follow the trail of the cry. They bounded through grimly alleys and streets until they seemed to be right on top of the source emitting such panic and misery. Elrin turned down a long, dark alley that seemed blocked at the far end – Dagenheart couldn't tell for sure. Elrin slowed down to a creeping walk as they entered the urban canyon; making as little noise as possible; not sure what lurked ahead. Dagenheart honed her magical senses to a razors edge and she realized what it was just as the event loomed close enough to see clearly.
The scene was enough to chill Dagenheart right down to the soles of her boots. The child could not have been more then ten years old and was smashed up against a gnarled, wooden fence whimpering. Her attacker was several feet taller and outweighed her by at least a hundred and fifty pounds. He had her held prostate against the fence, legs spread open. The harsh, thrusting movements of his hips made bile rise in Dagenheart's throat. Then the scene seemed to fade from her eyes and a new one took its place. A flashback from a time when she was something both greater-and lesser- then she was now.
Dagenheart sat on her Shadowsteed as her men ran amuck through the burning village slaughtering its inhabitants. The screams of pain and terror drowned out the roar of the hungry flames. Her mount moved through the chaos with a painful ease. An older woman somehow managed to escape the grasp of two of her soldiers and came running towards her, flinging herself to her knees before the young sorceress. A girl Dagenheart thought to be her daughter was getting ready to act a breeder to her men, however unwillingly.
"Please! Please Dark Lady, spare my daughter this horror. Please I beg you!" The woman pleaded with red, watery eyes.
Dagenheart smirked evilly at her, "Spare her, you say?" She snorted in dark humor and spurred her horse towards the girl. The soldiers saw her coming and delayed their deeds. The girl's mother clung to Dagenheart's stirrup as she resisted the urge to kick the woman away.
"Come here my child." Dagenheart commanded and signaled for her men to release the girl. With tears in her eyes, she approached fearful. Dagenheart clutched the hilt of her unsheathed sword. "Your mother has begged that you be spared this lesson and I, in my unyielding mercy have sought to oblige her."
Before anyone could act, Dagenheart thrust her sword downward, taking the girl under her left breast. A wail of terrible agony clawed its way out of the girl's throat. She twisted the blade and pushed it deeper; keeping eye contact with her victim until she saw the last bit of life leave the girl's eyes. With a dark chuckle she pulled her blade free and turned to the horror-strickened mother.
"Behold what your love has done. Your daughter has been spared my men but you will take her place. But, alas, I am not without kindness, for after my men finish with you, I'll deliver you to your daughter". With that she kicked the woman in the face and sent her sprawling backwards. Her men rushed forward, eager to vent their frustration on the battered woman.
It was just an eye-blink of memory but it filled Dagenheart with a hurricane of rage and with a carefully chosen spell she sent the young girl's attacker to his knees beneath the impact of an invisible hammer stroke. He struggled to regain his feet and to turn to see the source pummeling him. With a flood of hatred she sent the man flying into the side of a building, tearing a groan out of him. The abused girl just sunk to her knees and shook, hiding her tear streaked face in the ruffles of her torn dress.
"You animal! No. You Monster." Dagenheart shrieked, using one hand to keep the energies flowing that were pinning the man to the wall and the other to focus the power for justice. She concentrated on his left leg and heard the bone snap with a meaty crunch. The man howled like the damned. "Does it make you feel good to hurt people? Huh? Answer!!" She shouted. The man was so dumbstruck with fear and pain he couldn't speak. She probed and felt the bones in his arm and with a burst of energy sent them shattering like cheap pottery. "Answer me!"
:What are you doing!: Elrin demanded.
:Dispensing justice!: She snapped.
The man moaned and begged for his life, staring at her and her Companion. "Please Lady Herald. Please. Don't hurt me anymore." He whined. His words fueled her anger and she turned her power to man's eyes. He closed them and scram until his throat was raw. Tiny threads of smoke seeped out from his clamped eyelids filling the alley with a rancid smell.
"I am no Herald and I have only begun to make you pay!" she snarled.
:Stop this now! I'm calling for help.: She could barely hear her Companion's voice but she knew she had best deal with this pervert before this 'help' arrived.
"Give my regards to the Void you son of a bitch." And with that she channeled her magic into a cyclone of glass-like blades that flew around the man, shredding his skin and organs till there was nothing left to identify him as human. Dagenheart stared at the bloody remains with a grim face.
:What have you done!:
:Are you really going to defend him to me? I know his kind. He would have done a lot worse to her if we hadn't intervened.:
:You could have easily subdued him and waited for the Guard or a Herald to arrive.:
:Yes I could have. . .: She trailed off as she remembered the girl was still there, sitting with knees against chest and a wide-eyed look of shock. Dagenheart swung down from Elrin's back and rushed to the girl's side. The poor child did not acknowledge her in anyway and she was shaking all over. Not knowing what else to do, she put her into a deep sleep with a flick of her wriest.
"Is help coming or not?" She asked Elrin.
:They are coming. Prepare yourself.:
Within the next few minutes a Herald arrived, followed shortly by two Guardsmen. They took a look at Elrin with his black and white mane, at the massacred body, then at Dagenheart and the unconscious girl.
"What is going on here?" The Herald asked, shocked.
"He was raping this child. We – I intervened and stopped him." She said plainly.
"You did that" He asked pointing to what was left of the attacker's body. He looked at Elrin again and she saw the light dawn in his eyes.
"Your Dagenheart, aren't you."
Great, another fan. She thought coldly.
"We need to get this child to a Healer. Help me tie her on your horse, she's unconscious."
The Herald started to object but realized she was right. The child was bleeding already and she was covered in welts and bruises. He grabbed a bundle of rope from his saddlebags and they both secured the girl as best they could. The Herald remounted and Dagenheart followed suite.
"Wait." The Herald said, "You are to wait here. Alairus is on his way".
:Well, this will give everyone something new to talk about.: she sent to Elrin as she watched the Companion, its rider and burden trot off back up the alley. The Guardsmen stayed to make she followed orders. They seemed about as happy to be there as she was. They kept looking at her handiwork and then at her and shuddering.
Alairus seemed to be taking his sweet time in coming but he eventually made it. Dagenheart steeled herself for a confrontation. She watched the Herald ride up to her; her eyes grim and challenging.
"Are you ok? What happened? Are you hurt?" He kind of blurted it out at her and was looking her up and down for wounds.
"I'm fine. Your late. I've been waiting here forever."
It was then that Alairus noticed the body.
"Oh gods! What happened?" His face drained of color, making his scar all more noticeable.
"That thing was raping a child. He had to be made example of." Her voice was cold and hard.
He stared at her for a moment, not quite grasping the full extent of what she was capable of.
"My gods, what have you done?"
"I punished him!" Her voiced dared him to argue.
"You murdered him. You do not have the authority to enforce the law of this kingdom."
"You expect me to just turn away and let something like this happen."
"You could have stopped him without killing him and certainly without doing that."
She just stared at him impassively. There was nothing she else she needed to say about it and nothing said would change his mind.
Without urge or warning Elrin moved forward and up the alley to the road, Alairus fell in behind them. Dagenheart didn't need to ask where they were going; she knew. Their merry ride had turned nightmarish and now they were off to the prison again. She made the ride in complete silence, not even acknowledging anything around her.
Sitting in the darkness of her room with a cup of warm wine, Dagenheart relived the moment in the alley again and again. She'd had ample time to calm down and more then enough to understand why she had been so brutal. Alairus was right, as bad as she hated to admit it. She could and probably should have simply held the man till the Guards arrived but the anger. The hate. It was unrelenting and demanded to be satisfied. Then there was the memory, though vision was more like it. The details were sharp and the whole thing seemed to her like she was back there. It was then when she discovered the truth to her actions. She was not punishing the man. She was punishing herself through him.
A bitter lump rose in her throat and she choked it down with some of the wine. I knew you couldn't do it. You'll never be able to mend your ways. Evil is in your blood girl, you will die with it's poison eating away at you. Her mood blackened even further.
:Do you always talk to yourself like that?: Elrin's voice was like a single ray of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds of her mood.
She didn't respond. All she felt right then was apathy so deep not even Elrin's sun ray could conquer it all.
She had been confined to the Collegium grounds but not to her room. Her exile was entirely self-imposed. Alairus had seemed disgusted with her and had told her he did not know what actions would be taken against her. His revulsion at her had added another set of problems. It bothered her and she couldn't figure out why. She had never really cared about what people thought of her but his good opinion of her mattered for some reason. Don't be ridiculous about this. You don't even know him. Even if you did, do you think he'd want anything to do with you? She thought before gulping down the rest of the wine and moving to her bed.
She lay there a long time without ever getting tired. Sometime just shy of dawn exhaustion swept over her and blackness closed in. She didn't even fight it, hoping in some small way that is was permanent.